AU urges need for post-coup road map

THE African Union urged Mali yesterday to provide a post-coup transition “road map”, saying the move was needed to steer the country back to democratic rule.

This week, Mali’s military junta ordered the suspension of all political activities – citing a need to maintain public order – and the AU expressed “grave concern” at the move, saying it was likely to hinder the return to democracy.

Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, appointed by the military colonels who overthrew President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita in August 2020, said that elections would only be held once the country, which is facing a serious security crisis, has stabilised.

Mali’s leaders have faced domestic and international criticism since the military failed to meet its commitments to hold the presidential election in February and then to step down.

On Thursday, the junta banned media coverage of political parties.

AU chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed “grave concern” at the latest developments, saying he was “calling on the authorities to reconsider this decision and work on a road map aiming at completing the ongoing transition process.”

He warned that suspending parties and political associations threatened to “hinder the implementation of an

inclusive transition process in the country”.

The bloc suspended Mali in June 2021. |